<p>I know that USNews rankings should be taken with a grain of salt, but just for fun (in an OCD sort of way) and curiosity (and a mischievous nod to the upcoming rivalry game) I compiled a list of recent historical rankings for FSU and UF:</p>
<p>From FSU's perspective, there seems to be a 2 steps forward, 1 step back progress. This is what I would expect to see.</p>
<p>UF had consistently been ranked in the upper 40s since at least the mid-1990s, but has suddenly slipped recently. I wonder why?</p>
<p>The funny thing is that a large number of people who go to UF these days went there SPECIFICALLY because UF was ranked higher than FSU by USNews. If FSU was ranked higher, the same people would have attended to FSU instead. I understand the logic behind this, but this just goes to show you that rankings trends can change over time. You should choose your school based on what school is the best match and what feels best for you, not the USNews ranking. Rankings can change. </p>
<p>That being said, I doubt that UF is in any danger of being "overtaken" by FSU in the rankings, but I can foresee a time where we have an Arizona/Arizona State situation, where both schools are similarly ranked. There was probably a time in the past where one was ranked higher than the other. </p>
<p>Does anyone have historical rankings for FSU from pre-2005?</p>
<p>What is hurting Florida public universities the most now is reduced funding to the universities from the state. The state of Florida now is unable/unwilling to fund Florida higher education at levels which will improve rankings in surveys like U.S. News’. If universities had the extra millions of dollars to hire more and better professors, and reduce class sizes, and keep academic depts. going–rankings would improve dramatically.</p>
<p>That Florida public universities have kept their rankings about the same as 5 years ago before the most severe funding slashing is an indication of how effective our university administrators have proven to be. The state legislative session starts in January; Florida universities will have to beg for funding again where it is every university for themselves fighting like a pack of dogs for a bone.</p>
<p>UF’s US News ranking is driven by a number of factors which overstate its quality while at the same time understating the quality of Florida State. </p>
<p>One factor is UF is rewarded for hosting the state agricultural service ([IFAS](<a href=“http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/]IFAS[/url]”>http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/)</a>) which makes it appear that UF is funded better than it actually is, vis a vis Florida State.</p>
<p>Another factor is that UF has actively worked to game the US News rankings, along the lines of Clemson:</p>
<p>A third factor is that most university applicants (and their parents) really don’t understand academic quality and are unduly influenced by marketing, sports success (see: [Flutie</a> Effect](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutie_Effect]Flutie”>Flutie effect - Wikipedia)) and rankings promulgated by profit-driven magazines.</p>
<p>Lastly, it would be better to rank birds of a feather together, as FSU and UF are public universities. The US News public university ranking is somewhat less distorted.</p>
<p>It’s just that the rankings gap between the two schools has narrowed significantly, by 20 positions. FSU is improving in spite of the economic and funding headwinds. </p>
<p>My point is just that people shouldn’t place too much significance on USNews rankings because they do change over time, rending the basis of your choice moot.</p>
<p>My theory is that the improvements at the top (IE: Dr. Barron versus TK) have negated the effects of the budget cuts.</p>
<p>It’s a shame what the budget cuts are doing to public universities, and I fear UF’s falling ranking is actually a bad sign of what’s to come for ours.</p>